A True Romance

Read this awe-inspiring article.  Although she is gone, Margaret Lavigne is a testament to the human spirit to the greatest entent.

Have a great weekend, all!

http://www.nytimes.com/2016/03/09/nyregion/margaret-lavigne-advocate-for-people-with-disabilities-dies-at-44.html?_r=0

A True Warrior

Below is the link to an article about a very inspiring young lady who recently was crowned Miss Philadelphia.  I think she is truly a warrior for the cause of disability rights.  I believe you’ll agree!

Have a great weekend, everyone!

http://www.philly.com/philly/news/20160229_miss_philadelphia_focus_disability_rights.html

Tommy Hilfiger Rocks

I just realized I skipped last week’s blog.  I’m so sorry about that!  I’m getting old and forgetful. Well, this week, I found an awesome article about Tommy Hilfiger and adaptive clothing.  I hope you all enjoy.

Have a fabulous weekend!

https://www.disabilityscoop.com/2016/02/23/tommy-hilfiger-adaptive/21949/

Our Deepest Fear

A friend posted the following quote on her Facebook page and I liked it so well that I decided to use it for this week’s blog.  It’s powerful beyond the words themselves.

Happy Mother’s Day!

"Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness, that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small doesn't serve the world. There's nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to SHINE, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we're liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others."

Marianne Williamson

Life Lessons

Here is a quote from one of my favorite poems.  I believe it sums up life quite perfectly!

“I have measured out my life with coffee spoons.” ~T.S.Eliot, The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock

Have a great weekend, everyone!

Dreams

Today, I’m posting one of my favorite quotes by a Kennedy.  Even though an assassin cut his life short over forty years ago, Robert Kennedy's words are relevant even more so now.  For me, at least, the quote encourages us to follow our dreams, and change our ways to accomplish those dreams.  Most importantly, though, it reminds us to live with the hope there are better days ahead.  That’s the key to life’s happiness.

“There are those who look at things the way they are, and ask why...I dream of things that never were, and ask why not?”

Robert F. Kennedy (1925-1968); 64th US Attorney General

So ask why, and who knows?  Dream big and just maybe you’ll achieve the impossible!

Everyone have a great weekend!

Winter's Trek

Below is a poem I wrote a few years ago.  Although it’s old, I think it’s fitting for the season.  I hope you all had a great Christmas, and wish you the best for an amazing start to 2014!

         I

As the winter winds begin to blow,

and as the trees casts shadows on the newly fallen snow,

I feel the wintry gusts fill my very heart and soul.

Is it the wind I fear, or something much more near?

I wonder. 

         II

I walk along the snow-laden path,

thinking of the fire in the hearth at home

and my heart fills with glee at the prospect of a warm bed,

dispelling everything of fear of menace, leaving warmth.

Oh yes, the winter winds blows near, but I am safe and that has made all the difference.

         III

When I was a child, I think, I was simple-minded,

as I walk through the snow.

Life and death seemed like a game to me,

as if handling a ball of fire and never getting burned.

I laugh at my ignorance and self-absorbance as make my way along the snowy path.

The feeling of comfort fades, but its light is still dimly seen through the bows of the trees.

IV

Again, my fear grows.  Old fears and suspicions rise.

Home is nowhere in sight.

I gasp, faltering to the ground.

Is it ever going to end, I wonder.  Is this unceasing cold all I am ever going to know.

“No, I tell myself.  The light of home is just around the corner.  Keep pressing and you’ll find it.”

I get up and walk a few more paces. 

V

There it is!  Home at last.

My joy soars.

I run towards the glittering lights in the windows.

Yes, I am truly home.  Let the winter winds blow,

for I am home…Fears and self-doubts melt away, 

leaving me with a joyful feeling of

home and family.

Defying the Odds

Today, I found this totally awesome video I think defines all of us, but especially those with disabilities.  I hope you find this as inspirational as I do!

Have a fabulous weekend, everyone!

Reaching New Heights

Today, while perusing the Internet, I found this very inspiring news clip.  As I embark on the last week of my second internship at UCP, I’ve heard countless amazing and inspiring stories during these short months.  I feel honored to be a part of this and be able to help raise awareness in some small way during my time working for this organization!

Enjoy the video!

Joy

“Your success and happiness lies in you. Resolve to keep happy, and your joy and you shall form an invincible host against difficulties.”

~Helen Keller

Although writen almost a cenury ago, Helen Keller’s words ring true to this day.  As I continously grow in age, (and hopefully, widsom,) I find that a happy spirit repels difficulties and ensures a joyful life.  I’ve reconized the power to be happy lies within myself, not others.  Useful words to keep in mind on this beautiful spring day!

Faith

 This week, the subject of faith has been on my mind.  Confronted with a daunting semester in the upcoming months, my first reaction, I’m sorry to say, was to quake with fear and put up resistance.  However, today, I realized my faith will carry me, like it has so often before this week.  Why do we become so easily unraveled and question our ability to create positive out of a difficult situation?  That, I do not know, but I must say the very thought of my strength and determination as a student calmed my fears and bolstered my reserve to give my all this semester, which will only cement my faith in the end.

Thank you, readers, for tuning in every week!  I am continuously amazed by the support you show by following my blog.   That, in itself, means a lot!

Thanksgiving (continued)

Today, I feel a need to continue last week’s discussion about Thanksgiving.  Always at this time in the final stretch of the semester, feelings of stress and fatigue are normally in the forefront in everything I do.  How to type that last paper, not to mention how to reach the level of my standards, is always a quandary to me at this time of the year.  I wonder how can I pull this off again, and how exactly did I accomplish this before?  Then, I remember how far I’ve come and, yet, I still have “miles to go before I sleep”, and that, in itself gives me strength to face another class, and type that essay.  Then, I think about His promise that He is always there, guiding my every “roll”, which gives me great comfort and energy.  For that, I am eternally thankful!

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving, everyone!

Goals

Hello,

I hope all of you had a good week.  Five minutes ago, something inspired me to write this poem.  Again, I thank you for visiting my blog on a weekly basis, and I hope you enjoy reading it as much as I enjoy writing it!  Have a good weekend, and survive the storm!

There’s a goal within my reach—

which I have waited

With baited breath,

Sighs,

Tears

and laughter—

A goal—

Only a reflection in my mind—

A goal I held so dear

no one knew my silent dream—

And now, now, it is here—

Here, never to be relinquished—

Never to be mind again; never to

Dwell in the darkness of my soul—

Never to take refuge in my innermost heart—

A goal, which the entire world will see;

To hear and heed—

I only hope I have the strength to confront

That goal.

Will it swallow me with its great with enthusiasm—

Or will it lap at my heels—

Friendly and kind?

Only time will tell—

Only time will tell!

Kelcie Can

Hi All,

I hope everyone had a good week.  I'm sooo glad it's Friday!  I thought I'd liven things up a bit by posting this awesome and very inspirational clip of a girl who has Cerebral Palsy.  It really goes to show determination leads to unchartered places.  I hope everyone has a fabulous weekend, and again, I welcome any comments.  Enjoy!

Courage

This week, as I write my blog, I think about the concept of courage and what significance it holds for me.  These three weeks, I have to admit, have been rough ones.  Finding a routine, managing to be prepared for class and finding the strength to write that paper, or study for that test, I must admit, is overwhelming.  Although I have done this so many times I can count, each and every semester, it is a test of my endurance: of what I’m made.  Everytime, though, I manage to see the “big” picture, once and for all through this incredible journey called Messiah College, and it is such an incredible journey!  Going through self-doubt only strengthens my resolve to strive harder, find the energy to type that final keystroke.  The word courage defines my on-going journey and that, in itself, gives me the courage to move ahead!